This is how many people are working through high levels of period pain [Video]

Your mum might have referred to it as ‘the change’. A mysterious event that happens to women in mid-life, until relatively recently, this defining time in a woman’s life has historically been pretty much shrouded in secrecy.

These days, while we may talk about the menopause more – get some 40-something women together with a bottle of wine and it’ll often be the dominant topic – for many, it still isn’t that easy to deal with, or get help with.

A huge and bewildering array of symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, low libido, plus problems with memory and concentration.

These can creep up slowly during the perimenopause period, which can start in your mid-30s or as late as your mid-50s.